Tech Desk 
Sep 19, 2025
Tesla’s Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, is set to redesign the interior door handles of Tesla vehicles, combining the powered and manual releases into a single, streamlined button.
In Holzhausen's words, "I think it makes a lot of sense to combine the electronic and manual buttons into one button."
Tesla door redesign features
The door release mechanism will be made simpler with this design modification, which could increase safety in "panic situations".
Notably, the announcement was made in response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) investigation into Tesla due to complaints regarding the exterior door handles of certain Model Y cars.
Following reports of rear door handles going out of power and trapping kids inside, the federal agency opened an investigation.
The investigation also looks into incidents where malfunctioning doors have trapped drivers in burning cars.
Although Holzhausen did not specifically address the NHTSA investigation, the prospective redesign might allay some of the worries expressed by customers and regulators.
The company is planning to make design adjustments in response to Chinese regulations that might outlaw concealed door handles, according to Tesla's design chief.
Moreover, the car safety features might be greatly enhanced by the redesign of Tesla's door handles.
Tesla's choice to review the design of its door handles may help to reduce possible safety hazards and improve the general driving experience for its customers while the NHTSA conducts its investigation.
